Central Library - Tax Clinic Cancellation
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the free drop-in tax preparation service clinic on Saturday, April 8 has been cancelled. Please visit hpl.ca/free-tax-service for other clinic dates. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Phishing Statement
Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Wi-Fi Unavailable at Red Hill Branch
The Wi-Fi is not working at the Red Hill Branch. Staff is working diligently to resolve the problem.
Barton Branch Makerspace
The iMac at the Barton Branch Makerspace is currently unavailable. We are working to resolve this issue.
Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook

Inducted: 1994
Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook was born and educated in Hamilton. Her aptitude and interest in art developed early but it was not until 1929 that she began her formal training to develop her talents when she attended Central Collegiate and Hamilton Technical School Art Department. She went on to attend the Ontario College of Art from 1932-1935 where she specialized in sculpture under Emanuel Hahn and graduated winning the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Sculpture. This training was followed by a year at the Royal College of Art in London England.
Today, Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook is recognized as a gifted sculptor whose art has been commissioned and displayed by admirers around the world. Works include the busts of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and Hon. Ellen Fairclough commissioned for the Parliament Buildings and numerous medals of honour including one of Ken Taylor encircled in American and Canadian flags. One of her crowning achievements to date has been a bronze bust portrait for St. John's Newfoundland of the late Sir Winston Churchill whose daughter claims it to be "the finest that she has seen". She has received the National Sculpture Society of New York Gold Medal and the accolades of art critics worldwide.
She has annual exhibitions in the Royal Canadian Academy, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Ontario Society of Artists and Art Gallery of Hamilton. Her work is also in public collections in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa as well as such local venues as the Art Gallery of Hamilton, McMaster University, Royal Botanical Gardens and St John's Church in Ancaster.
She is a resident of Ancaster. A gifted equestrian and breeder of New Forest Ponies. People describe Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook as kind, community-minded and richly talented. As a community, we are thankful that she has done much to share those talents with us at both the local and national level.